As Brazil elects a new president, Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva, Mélissa Godin, a reporter for Atmos magazine, explores the past policies that hurt the Brazilian Amazon and the future steps needed to preserve it. First, Godin interviews Rita Mesquita, a researcher studying the Amazon’s resilience. In her work, she realized that larger forest patches better support biodiversity and forest longevity. However, increased deforestation under former president Bolsonaro taught Mesquita that being involved in policy is just as important as scientific research. Godin also met with Vanda Witto, an Indigenous woman who exposed Bolsonaro’s indifference to the COVID-19 pandemic and Indigenous rights, pushing her to collaborate within her community to use her nursing knowledge to help Indigenous peoples in Brazil. Witto is optimistic that, under Lula’s leadership, the new generation of Indigenous youth can safely express pride in their heritage and culture. Lastly, Godin’s interview with Carlos Travassos, a land defender who works with Indigenous communities, reveals the violent nature of land grabbing in Brazil. Overall, Godin’s experiences present optimism that the Brazilian Amazon will gain more protections under Lula’s presidency while stressing the urgency to stop anti-Indigenous crimes.
